Drone delivery service launches in China’s Greater Bay Area, slashing transport time and costs between cities

Flight between Zhongshan and megacity of Shenzhen takes around 45 minutes and costs 40 yuan (US$5.60) per order, according to UAV-maker Phoenix Wings
The company, backed by Chinese logistics giant SF Express, says the service can be used for emergency support and rapid transport of goods

Greater Bay Area

Holly Chik

Published: 3:00pm, 14 Apr 2024

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A new commercial cargo drone route launched in southern China’s Greater Bay Area on Friday, delivering goods by air while cutting intercity transport time by nearly an hour.

The 70km (43-mile) flight between Shenzhen and Zhongshan – both in Guangdong province – takes the unmanned aerial vehicle around 45 minutes. It costs 40 yuan (US$5.60) per delivery order, to be completed within four hours, and can transport goods weighing up to 20kg (44lbs).

Drone manufacturer Phoenix Wings said in a WeChat post that the drone has an average cruising speed of 108km/h (67mph) and could be used for emergency support, intercity rapid delivery and offshore logistics.

Its service runs six days a week from 9am to 6pm, with exceptions for extreme weather events and airspace control.

With lofty plans for south, China’s ‘low-altitude economy’ is on the rise

The Germany-based firm is backed by parent company SF Express, a major Chinese logistics service provider.

Zhongshan transport bureau chief Cao Fuquan said the launch of the first cross-water low-altitude logistics route in the Greater Bay Area would boost the efficiency of express delivery between the two cities and reduce costs.

“It will also inject new vitality into business development and promote the deep integration of economic and social development between the two cities for our mutual benefit,” Cao said at a launch ceremony, according to Phoenix Wings.

The company’s founder Jiang Mingtao told Southern Metropolis Daily that the company would set up more airborne delivery routes in Zhongshan.

“Zhongshan has a huge demand for drone logistics services as an important node city in the Greater Bay Area,” Jiang said.

He said roads had served as the main delivery route between Zhongshan and Shenzhen in the past, and trucks had to depart early in the morning for goods to arrive on the same day.

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Driving from Shenzhen’s Chiwan port to Hongchang Logistics Park in Zhongshan via the Humen Pearl River Bridge or the Nansha Bridge typically takes about 1.5 hours for a journey of around 110km.

“Now with drones, the efficiency will be greatly improved with fewer scheduling restrictions,” Jiang said.

China has been pushing its “low-altitude economy” which has seen rapid growth in recent years thanks to supportive policies.

The low-altitude economy encompasses a wide range of industries focused on civil manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, including manufacturing, flight operations and integrated services.

The low-altitude economy has the potential to contribute between 3 and 5 trillion yuan (US$705 billion) to China’s economy by 2025, according to a white paper published last year by the International Digital Economy Academy in Shenzhen.